WILLIAM II

AND

FRANCIS-JOSEPH

CHAPTER I

“If only Emperor William would be true to himself—­be natural, in fact!” exclaimed Count S——­, a Prussian nobleman, high in the diplomatic service of his country, with whom I was discussing the German Emperor a year or so ago.  Then my friend, who had, a short time previously, been brought into frequent personal contact with his sovereign, in connection with his official duties, went on to say: 

“There are really two distinct characters, one might almost say two personalities, in the kaiser.  When he is himself he is the most charming companion that it is possible to conceive.  His manners are as genial and as winning as those of his father and grandfather, both of whom he surpasses in brilliancy of intellect, and in quickness of repartee, as well as in a keen sense of humor.  He gives one the impression of possessing a heart full of the most generous impulses,—­aye, of a generosity carried even to excess, and this, together with a species of indescribable magnetism which appears to radiate from him in these moments, contributes to render him a most sympathetic man.”

“But,” interposed an Englishman who was present, “that is not how he is portrayed to the outer world.  Nor is that the impression which he made upon me and upon others when he was at Cowes.”

“That is precisely why I deplore so much that the emperor should fail to appear in his true colors,” continued Count S——.  “All the qualities which I have just now ascribed to him are too often concealed beneath a mantle of reserve, self-consciousness, nay, even pose.  During my recent interviews with his majesty, whenever we happened to be alone, he would show himself in the light which I have just described to you.  But let a third person appear upon the scene—­be it even a mere servant—­at once his entire manner would change.  The magnetic current so pleasantly established between us would be cut through, his eyes would lose their kindly, friendly light, and become hard, his attitude self-conscious and constrained, the very tone of his speech sharp, abrupt, commanding, I would almost say arrogant.  In fact he would give one the impression that he was playing a role—­the role of emperor—­that he was, in one word, posing, even if it were only for the benefit of the menial who had interrupted us.  But when the intruder had vanished, William would, like a flash, become his own charming self again.  That is what made me exclaim just now, ’if only the kaiser would be true to himself!—­be natural, in fact.’”

“I fully agree with you, my dear S——­,” I remarked, after a short pause.  “If the emperor has remained anything like what he was prior to his ascension to the throne, your estimate of his character is correct.”  And I went on to relate a little incident which occurred on the occasion of my first meeting with the emperor many years ago.